North American Society for Trenchless Technology Announces Innovative Product Award Winners

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) announced the 2022 Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award winners at the NASTT 2022 No-Dig Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award celebrates companies with a state-of-the-art product or service making a significant impact in advancing the trenchless industry in the areas of rehabilitation or new installation.

The selected winners met the highest-level of standards for each category. Products were judged on Innovation (concept, method, development); Value (need, advantages, cost); and, Impact (sustainability, social/environmental responsibility and potential).

“Honoring those who successfully implement outstanding projects that can bring transformative change to trenchless technologies provides industry-wide recognition of their approach to address the needs and priorities of the industry and their customers,” said Matthew Izzard, NASTT Executive Director. “The Innovative Product & Services Award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity and vision of the creative teams that research, develop, design, market and operate these products.”

Winners

In the category for New Installation, the award was given to Boyd Tech, Inc. for its B-Tech Connections.  A means to mechanically connect HDPE piping for pulling, pushing and transitions, B-Tech Connections provides a pipe-to-pipe connection wherein ID & OD remain the same. Either permanently locked or temporarily installed, connections are water-tight with a broad range of applications in trenchless and non-trenchless applications. Long life span, fast assembly times, make this connection method, efficient and cost-effective for any HDPE project or application. For more information, contact  Sam Boyd, President at samboyd@boydtech.us or visit https://boydtech.us/.

In the category for Rehabilitation, the award was given to Insituform, an Aegion LLC brand, for its CIPP Carbon Filter System, a carbon filtration solution for CIPP steam-cured product that exhausts Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and accompanying odors. The innovative filtering system uses selected carbon and other filtration media in a filter canister design to capture the VOC. This device will significantly reduce or eliminate (depending on the diameter of the CIPP installation) the amount of VOCs from the emissions. Potential reduction of reportable greenhouse gas emission is greater than 90 percent.  For more information, contact Dennis Pivin, VP Environmental, Health, Safety and Security, at dpivin@aegion.com or visit aegion.com

Finalists
NASTT also honors the finalists in each category:

New Installation

Ditch Witch for AT32 All-Terrain Direction Drill | ditchwitch.com

Herrenknecht AG for AVN 800 HR – MTBM | herrenknecht.com

LaValley Industries for PITPUMP™ powered by the EMPOWER™ electric generator | lavalleyindustries.com

Primus Line for Primus Line® Overland Piping | primusline.com

Subsite Electronics for Marksman™ HDD Guidance System | subsite.com

Rehabilitation

AppliedFelts for Envirocure | appliedfelts.com

Aries Industries for Wolverine 2.0 | ariesindustries.com

Electro Scan Inc. for Electro Scan KINGFISHER | electroscan.com

HammerHead Trenchless for Next Generation Bluelight LED CIPP System | hammerheadtrenchless.com

HK Solutions Group for Monoform PLUS | hksolutionsgroup.com

Nukote Coating Systems International LLC for 360 Ringtech Robotics | nukoteindustries.com

PipeFusion CIPP for PipeFusion Xtreme | pipefusioncipp.com

Waterline Renewal Technologies – LMK Technologies for UV T-Liner Shorty | waterlinerenewal.com

Presentations about each product were made at the Innovative Products Forum at the NASTT 2022 No-Dig Show and are available online via the NASTT YouTube channel. The winners will also be featured in the summer issue of Trenchless North America, NASTT’s essential read for trenchless professionals. To learn more about NASTT awards, visit nastt.org/awards. The award is named for the late Joseph L. Abbott, Jr., an active NASTT member since its founding in 1990 and a champion of innovation.

NASTT Partners with UCA and Down for That

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) is pleased to announce it has partnered with the Underground Construction Association (UCA), a division of the Society of Mining Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc.

The objective of this initiative it to work collaboratively toward the betterment and technical innovation of the tunneling, underground and trenchless technology industries.

NASTT will be a key supporting organization of Down For That, which is the UCA outreach initiative specifically to universities, students, and university professors. Other key supporting organizations of Down For That are the ASCE Geo-Institute, Deep Foundations Institute, The Beavers, and the Moles.

NASTT will contribute to resources included on www.undergroundcareers.org to promote scholarships, tunnel tours, industry profiles, and all other items on the Down For That website for the benefit of members as a collective outreach initiative.

If you are interested in learning more and contributing to this effort please attend the informational meeting to be held during the NASTT 2022 No-Dig Show on Tuesday, April 12 from 2:00-3:00 PM in room 101J.

For more information please visit:

https://www.smenet.org/UCAhome

www.undergroundcareers.org

NASTT Announces Abbott Innovative Product Award Finalists

Register for the 2022 No-Dig Show here!

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2022 Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award competition.  The Abbott Innovative Product & Services Award celebrates companies with a state-of-the-art product or service developed or re-launched in the last 2 years making a significant impact in advancing the trenchless industry in the areas of rehabilitation or new installation. Finalists will be judged on innovation (concept, method, development); value (need, advantages, cost); and, impact (sustainability, social/environmental responsibility and potential).

VISIT FINALISTS AT THE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FORUM AND IN THE EXHIBIT HALL

Competitors must be in attendance at the NASTT No-Dig Show as an exhibitor or sponsor and present a product overview at the Innovative Products Forum on Monday, April 11 from 9:55-11:35am. Attendees can visit exhibiting finalists in the Exhibit Hall. The winners will be announced that evening at the NASTT Annual Educational Fund Auction in the Exhibit Hall. Presentations from all the finalists will be posted online following the No-Dig Show.

NEW INSTALLATIONS

Boyd Tech, Inc. | Silver Student Sponsor

B-Tech Connections

Submitted by Sam Boyd, President

Ditch Witch | Booth 600

AT32 All-Terrain Direction Drill

     Submitted by Sean Hubbard, Marketing Communications Manager

Herrenknecht AG | Booth 700

AVN 800 HR – MTBM

     Submitted by Michael Gross, Product Manager 

LaValley Industries | Booth 406

PITPUMP™ powered by the EMPOWER™ electric generator

     Submitted by Jorge Prince, Chief Financial Officer

 Primus Line | Booth 201

Primus Line® Overland Piping

     Submitted by Ian Lancaster, Senior Vice President

 Subsite Electronics | Booth 600

Marksman™ HDD Guidance System

     Submitted by Sean Hubbard, Marketing Communications Manager

REHABILITATION

Aegion LLC | Booth 200

CIPP Carbon Filter System

     Submitted by Dennis Pivin, VP Environmental Health, Safety & Security

AppliedFelts | Booth 427

Envirocure

     Submitted by Mark Chandler, Technical Manager

Aries Industries | Booth 233

Wolverine 2.0

     Submitted by Jim Kraschinsky, Vice President – Sales

 Electro Scan Inc. | Booth 135

Electro Scan KINGFISHER

     Submitted by Chuck Hansen, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

HammerHead Trenchless | Booth 506

Next Generation Bluelight LED CIPP System

     Submitted by Lauren Carroll, Marketing Coordinator

HK Solutions Group | Booth 339

Monoform PLUS

Submitted by Mike Ingham, Chief Sales Officer

Nukote Coating Systems International LLC | Booth 645

360 Ringtech Robotics

     Submitted by Sanaz Ghalambor, VP of Specifications & Testing

 PipeFusion CIPP | Booth 341

PipeFusion XtremeTM

     Submitted by Richard Nawracaj, Vice President

 Waterline Renewal Technologies – LMK Technologies | Booth 522

Shorty and Stubby

     Submitted by Aaron Kaplan, Director of Product Development

“The Abbott Innovative Product Awards represent a fantastic opportunity to showcase ambitious developments from the trenchless industry and celebrate the companies making a difference in the profession,” praised NASTT Executive Director, Matthew Izzard.  “NASTT applauds these new opportunities and the teams furthering product innovation.” To learn more about NASTT awards, visit. nasstt.org/awards.

 

Michael Byrne Mfg. Names Dave Kauffman as Manufacturing Engineer

Michael Byrne Mfg. names Dave Kauffman as Manufacturing Engineer. Dave has a B.S. in Business Administration/Management and brings over 25 years of experience in the Trenchless Industry. He received extensive training in fluid power at The Ohio State University’s – ATI. Dave began his career at American Augers; working his way up from saw operator, fabricator, assembler, Lead man, CIP manager, and manufacturing manager. He was then employed at Underground Professionals Inc., specializing in HDD repair, refurbishing, and parts sales. Prior to joining the Michael Byrne Mfg., Dave & a partner started D&L Underground Solutions, which specialized in parts sales, service, HDD repair, modernization & refurbishments.

Dave supplies a wealth of knowledge with hydraulic and can bus systems relating to the Mobile Construction industry. Dave brings a hands-on approach to implementing incremental improvements and problem solving for HDD and Auger boring equipment. Michael Byrne Mfg President Jim Weist adds, “Dave’s addition to the Michael Byrne Team brings another perspective from a respected industry leader with experiences hard to find today”.

For more information on Michael Bryne Manufacturing, visit their website at byrnegroup.com.

Lithos Engineering Proudly Announces Addition of Three New Team Members

The Lithos Team Continues to Grow!

James Halverson joined the Lithos Denver Team in March as a Geological Engineer, having previously served in multiple industries including Seismic Exploration, Geotechnical Engineering, Electrical Construction, and Mining Geology. His diverse experience, attention to detail, project and cost management, analysis and management of complex data systems, teamwork, communication, and subsurface analyses are but a few of the assets that James brings to the Lithos team. In his free time, James enjoys spending time with family; road, mountain, and gravel biking; bike packing; weight training; and volunteer work. You can reach James at jhalverson@lithoseng.com.

 

Keely Stevenson  joined the Lithos Fort Collins team in July as a Geological Engineer, having recently received a B.S. Degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. During her time at Mines, she worked as an undergraduate research assistant on a project modeling flat roofed mine excavations and optimizing rock bolt placement for maximum stability and minimum cost, primarily programming in UDEC.  Another project she worked on focused on recycling minerals in mine tailings. In her free time, Keely enjoys hiking, machining, reading, painting, and can be found trying out new things and learning new skills. You can reach Keely at keely@lithoseng.com.

 

 

 

Adisa Husejnovic joined the Lithos Denver team in August as an Administrative Assistant.  Prior to joining Lithos, Adisa worked at a commercial General Contractor where she managed the bidding process and supported multiple project management teams, in addition to assuring the whole office ran smoothly.  In her free time, Adisa enjoys film photography, biking, thrifting, and hiking with her dog Axel and partner Austin. You can reach Adisa at adisa@lithoseng.com.

In keeping with their core values, the Lithos team has grown substantially over the last few years, and remains committed to developing a diverse team of experts that bring recognizable value to their clients and their projects.

The Lithos team is excited to welcome James, Keely and Adisa!

NASTT Welcomes Mexico Regional Chapter

August 3, 2021, was a significant day for North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) as the 12th and latest Regional Chapter was formed, covering the 32 states of Mexico.

Matthew Izzard, NASTT Executive Director and Alan Goodman, Chair of the Board of Directors, met with founding members Sergio Alvarado (Underground Construction Equipment Mexico), Chapter President; Adrian Cordero (Tubepol), Chapter Vice-President; Itzel Mora (Tubemas), Secretary; and Caesar Alvarado (Hammerhead), Executive Officer for the inaugural meeting of the NASTT Mexico Regional Chapter – MEXTT.

The addition of this Chapter offers complete coverage of the North American continent for NASTT with Mexico joining the three Canadian and eight United States Chapters in the Society.

The NASTT Board, under Craig Vandaelle, formed an initiative group to create the Chapter, with Board Members Tiffanie Mendez and Alan Ambler central to its development and working with Itzel Mora to engage volunteers in the creation of the new chapter. This culminated in the inaugural meeting and formation of the Regional Chapter Board to provide local engagement to the members in developing trenchless technology knowledge and education.

MEXTT President, Sergio Alvarado commented: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to be one of the founding members and to be elected president of MEXTT, as well as recognizing my colleagues Itzel Mora, Adrian Cordero, Eduardo Ortegon and Cesar Alvarado who are part of this executive board.

We are very excited about the future growth of our association, and we will be preparing our work plan in the short, medium and long term to publicize the benefits that we can bring to our members through the different existing trenchless technologies for the benefit of the projects of infrastructure generated in Mexico.”

NASTT Chair, Alan Goodman added: “NASTT has been blessed to work with five incredible people that are passionate about bringing trenchless technology to every corner of Mexico.  On the historic day of August 3rd, 2021 the Mexico Chapter was formed and inaugurated into NASTT.  Whether it be new installation or rehabilitation the Mexico Chapter wants to educate all sectors (municipalities, state agencies, utilities, contractors, and engineering firms) in all industries including water, sewer, gas, power, fiber and telecommunications.  Watch this Mexico Chapter grow, and we can’t wait to learn more about the future conferences and Good Practices Courses offered in Spanish.”

An opening webinar to outline the Chapters activities, introduce members and how to be involved is planned for early 2022 followed by in-person events. This includes the delivery of NASTT’s Introduction to Trenchless Technology Good Practices Courses, translated to Spanish with the assistance of grant funding from International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT). Work is also starting on a website and membership magazine and many other initiatives. If you are interested in being involved, please contact us at info@nastt.org.

In expanding their activities and delivery of trenchless technology education in Spanish to a wider audience, NASTT and MEXTT look forward to another exciting Chapter in NASTT history.